Paintpushers

Name: Chris Vance
School:  Iowa State University
Degree: BFA in Visual Studies
Statement: Works composed to deconstruct to recompose.  The short and sweet is mixed up
Influences: Richard Diebenkorn, Basquiat, Barry Mc Gee, Thomas Campbell, and Phil Frost.
Children’s art has always intrigued me the free flowing thoughts and creative spirit.  Graffiti as of
late has really started to play into the new works.
Work Setting: I work in my basement surrounded by beer cans and garbage, just kidding about the garbage.
My children have a play room across the basement so it sets up a great creative environment. They are always coming down and checking out what is going on.  I love working out of my basement it just feels right.  Someday I would love to be above ground, but I will always have a studio connected to my house.
Fun Fact: Probably the most shocking thing people don’t know about me is that I only watch like one or two movies a year.
The second is traveling has become a huge part of my life and I hate to drive long hours.  I like to roller-skate, love sports, and coach my kids in basketball and soccer. 
Work and Play: Playing for me is hanging with friends and family having a few adult beverages.  Playing basketball with the kids or just working in the studio I love what I do.
Slumps: WORK THROUGH THEM......  You can always paint over garbage, I told you in the beginning of this spotlight that there is all kinds of garbage in my studio.  Someday I hope it becomes good artwork.  Never stop painting or whatever you do and slumps won’t set in.
Misc: Little known fact is that Misty my wife is the true thing that keeps Vance inc. a float.  She takes care of all of the business I just get to paint and create.  The four kids are Nicholette 16, Givanna 11, Maddy 7, and Colton, aka Little C, is 4.  Out........

Name: Charlotte Redman
Age: 28
Degrees and honors: BA in Visual Arts from Grand View College, Magna Cum Laude Class of 2002 Grand View College, Alfa Chi Member, Best In 2D Valley Junction Spring Art Market 2008
Occupation: Painter at Sticks Inc.
Medium: Primarily abstract paintings in acrylic paint, charcoal and paper. I am also trained in photography, ceramics, fibers and drawing.
Statement about your work: I differentiate between influence and inspire. For something to influence me, it would have to have a direct impact on my life and work. To inspire me, it would just have to be something that gets my artistic mind flowing with thoughts, ideas, and creativeness. Every artist I have encountered, in person or through books has inspired me in one way or another. My most recent inspiration has been coming from Graffiti Art and an artist by the name of Aaron Petersen. Naturally, my family and friends along with the events in my life influence my work through my emotions. My color pallet will change from week to week depending on how my boss, boyfriend, or checkbook treats me that week. It might sound a little wishy-washy for some but how my influences effect my work is almost like the backbone of my art. I have a strong background in Art Therapy and have used it in my work since High School. This “therapy” part of my work has been the one component that hasn’t changed in my style no matter what medium I happen to use or what era of my life it happens to be.
Fun Facts: I am tragically trapped in the in late ’80’s and early ‘90’s. Cher, John Hughes movies and Synchronized dance are a few of my great loves. I never thought that I would make art a career. Growing up I wanted to work in a mailroom or be a diva. (If you know me well, that makes perfect sense.)
Advice: As long as I have been creating, I have known people who thought that I was very talented and people who thought that I wasn’t. It took a long time to realize that neither of those groups really matter. Clear your mind of all the junk, people and pressure so it is just you. Then ask yourself what you want to do? What would be successful for you? That answer is your goal. When you reach that goal, repeat the process. Never stopping, never giving up, and always reaching to achieve that goal is what matters. That is the talent that counts.

Ben Schuh’s solo exhibition, “Making Lemonade” opened today and will be up until Dec. 15th at the Iowa University Pioneer Room. A reception will be held Nov. 21. For more information visit Ben’s website.

“Seventy Two” is the merging of the styles of the eleven artists of Paintpushers and one special guest, working together to make one massive display. Each artist is responsible for 12 feet of wall space to make 144 feet of continuous art work.

The artists are:
Kristin A. Aulwes
Kristine Clemons
Kathryn Downing
Molly Free
Claudia Cole Meek
Charlotte Redman
Jacqueline Roate
Mike Roate
Ben Schuh
Hasan Tosunbegovic
Chris Vance
Julie VandeBerg

Fitch Gallery is located at 15th & Walnut in downtown Des Moines. Admission is free. Food and wine provided during the reception from 5 to 9 pm. For further information about Fitch Gallery call 515-770-3810, or visit http://www.paintpushers.com

Name: Julie VandeBerg
Age: still turning 29
School attended/ing:n/a
Degree:graphic design.
Occupation:painter
Statement about your work:I use paint, paper and magnets in a layered, colorful, handcrafted way to create interactive fun.
Influences (artists, genres, etc):childrens art, graffiti and anything that floats my boat
Fun Fact:I never thought in my whole life I would be excited about tools. Now that I am working in woodworking to my art, I fell in love with a drill press. hee hee

How did you get started in the arts?ever since I could hold a pencil I was started.
How did you find your style? Has it changed since you started? I am continously finding my style. i think i’m the kind of artist that may never, but i’m ok with that.
Do you have a gallery? Why/why not?I have shown my work the last 2 years at the Great Frame Up in West Glenn shopping center. I will have a one man show in August at this location. I cuurently have a show hanging in Andy’s Frame shop on Ingersoll Ave through the end of july. Also one piece hanging in the Iowa Heritage Gallery Downtown Des Moines.
What was one of your favorite paintings? Ironically...a self portrait. My first attempt to paint on a gesso board as well…
What do you enjoy most about your work? feeling good about accomplishing a great piece and making people laugh when they read my silly stories that I incorporate in my work.
Describe your work setting. my dining room
Do you have side projects you work on? yes, currently I paint on baby onesies, they are called vandebaby’s. a spin off my last name. They are really fun and a good way to be not so serious…
How do you maintain balance in your life between work and play?that is a good question, i still don’t know the answer...can someone help me?
Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then? all the time, getting out my sketchbook and going back to the basics of art helps me a lot
What do you do for fun/when you’re not working? going to music festivals, walking my huskies, watch a good movie, watching charmin toilet paper commercials with those cute bears, not really, i hate commercials.
Any advice for others who are pursuing creative goals? be proud of yourself. set goals. don’t procrastinate. open your mind to new ideas. come to a paintpusher meeting...it’s very inspiring.